On October 15, the 128th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) held a virtual opening ceremony in Guangzhou. The ceremony was attended and launched by Commerce Minister Zhong Shan and Ma Xingrui, Governor of Guangdong province, and moderated by Ren Hongbin, Assistant Minister of Commerce. Officials and representatives from Guangdong province, Guangzhou, and central government departments also participated in the virtual ceremony.

The Canton Fair is an important platform for opening up and international trade. The 128th Canton Fair will be held between 15th and 24th of October, upon the approval of the State Council. The decision to move the Canton Fair online at this extraordinary time demonstrates the commitment of the Chinese government to active COVID-19 response and a global community of health for all. It will help to keep global industrial chains and supply chains secure and functioning, and maintain stability of foreign trade and foreign investment. It will contribute to the in-depth integration of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and the development of the Greater Bay Area. It will facilitate the efforts to advance commerce development and epidemic control hand in hand, and foster a new architecture with domestic cycle as the mainstay and with domestic and international development reinforcing each other. It will contribute to the multilateral trading system and economic globalization.

At present, close to 26,000 exhibitors from home and abroad have participated and presented over 2.4 million exhibits online. Buyers from over 200 countries and regions have also registered. To improve experience and effect for businesses and buyers, we have upgraded the official website of the Canton Fair, and in particular improved the buyers registration, product search, and online business meeting functions. A stronger platform with better services and user experience will ensure that suppliers and buyers both get access to it, find the right partners, and have proper communication. The official website has such sections as exhibitors and products, global business matchmaking, livestreaming, and cross-border e-commerce, which will provide around-the-clock services to visitors from different time zones. The Canton Fair will hold virtual promotion, invitation, and deal-making around the world to involve buyers from home and abroad, help Chinese exporters unlock the domestic market, and open up new prospects for closer business cooperation and shared development.